Do I need an external sound card for recording on my Macbook pro?

[Lakkaland]

I recently bought a Macbook pro 13" and I mainly wanted to use it for recording my bass guitar and digital piano. Both of the instruments could be connected directly to the computer I think.

But I often saw threads saying that people buy external sound cards for recording. I start to wonder whether the internal sound card in the MBP doesn't deliver good sound quality or there is some other reasons for people to buy the external sound cards...

If I need one as well, does anyone have any recommendations?

 

[MrCheeto]

Are you able to plug it into the 3.5mm audio jack?

If so, it should suit you until you start creating songs

 

[Lakkaland]

Are you able to plug it into the 3.5mm audio jack?

If so, it should suit you until you start creating songs

Sure I am. I use the headphone jack on my piano and the phone jack on my bass amplifier to connect to my PC. I just got the new Mac and haven't started doing it on the Mac yet. But I saw one audio in/out jack there, so I assume it works the same as my PC, doesn't it?

Just I don't know whether such way of recording is correct/acceptable. I haven't seen how the other people record their instruments. (well, saw some ads for Apogee One on recording via the interface...)

You mean for creating songs, I should rather get an external sound card? I do to write a few lines from time to time and record it like what I said into the computer. Recently I was asked by my friend to record some piano tracks for him but I got some noise in my recording. That's why I started to think about the sound card issue (my old PC has its sound card from 7 years ago). But as I just started to learn how to mix, how to edit etc, it could be that if I had known how to edit, the problem would have been solved, but again I suppose a reasonably good sound input is quite important for the final result. That's why I'm here searching for help.

 

[MrCheeto]

First, play with the levels. Sometimes you can get noise if the instrument is too loud or not loud enough.

You just go to System Preferences>Sound and next to "Use audio port for:" choose which you want to use the port for; input or output.

 

[MonkeyET]

I would suggest getting some sort of interface. Whether it be like a Digidesign Mbox, or other interface, you should get a cleaner connection than using a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter. With the bass, you should consider a DI box to clean it up.

Are you planning on throwing a mic on your bass amp, or are you using Garage band to process your sound?

 

[Lakkaland]

First, play with the levels. Sometimes you can get noise if the instrument is too loud or not loud enough.

You just go to System Preferences>Sound and next to "Use audio port for:" choose which you want to use the port for; input or output.

Thanks for your suggestion. I will have a look at it now...(still getting used to the new operating system...)
It could be that I didn't put enough volume for the piano, in order not to overdrive the sound. I remember the wave wasn't very small in the beginning, then I thought my bass notes were a bit too dull, so I adjusted it using the equalizer in Cool Edit, then I found the wave became flatter, and there came the noise. Should I use equalizer only during recording but not after it?

 

[Lakkaland]

I would suggest getting some sort of interface. Whether it be like a Digidesign Mbox, or other interface, you should get a cleaner connection than using a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter. With the bass, you should consider a DI box to clean it up.

Are you planning on throwing a mic on your bass amp, or are you using Garage band to process your sound?

Yeah maybe I should get a DI....any suggestion? and do you suggest any audio interface at around 200$?

I don't quite get what you mean by "throwing a mic on the bass amp". I plan to use Garage band (as it's the only audio software available on the computer, and it's good for beginners) and I'm reading some instructions on how to use it...

 

[Gakboi]

if you have to ask the mic in will do fine